Few teams needed a respite from club football more than Everton, who are about to enter a critical week.
The proud Merseyside club, ever-present in the top flight since 1954, travel to West Ham today and relegation rivals Burnley on Wednesday one place outside of the bottom three.
Manager Frank Lampard has lost all four away games since succeeding Rafa Benitez and said his team lacked 'b******s' after their 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace in the FA Cup.
Off the pitch, the club have just reported an annual loss of £120.